Needed On Set

This episode features January Curry, Casting Director, Mom, writer, producer and owner of Destination Casting, a boutique casting company based in Atlanta. January first talks about how she got into casting under George Pierre and how her background in acting and theater helped her understand what it feels like to be a working artist. She opens up about going after her dreams and the inspiration s...

Kenya welcomes Brooke Goldman, a woman of many skills and roles, including Casting Director, Producer, and DJ. Brooke talks about her non-traditional route into casting, from working as an artist in residence in Germany, to producing national commercials at an ad agency. She discusses how her vast array of experiences and skills, mixed with the courage and bravery to mix it up, helps her in all re...

Kenya welcomes casting director Lorrie Latham from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Lorrie opens up about what got her into casting and how this self-described "introvert" now has a thriving business where she connects with people all around the globe. Lorrie dives into her process and what she looks for when selecting actors for various roles, as well as some of her pet peeves when it comes to casting ca...

This week, Kenya welcomes author, mom, and casting director, Veronica Pearson. Veronica shares her insights and experiences about the entertainment industry, including how she got her start and some tips for background actors from the perspective of a casting director. She also talks about the importance of understanding both the business and art side of the industry and how growing up with strong...

Welcome back! To kick off Season 2, host Kenya welcomes Adam Rosko, the founder of Adam and the Backgrounds in Portland, OR. Adam began his career in theater and moved on to work as a background casting director for  Portlandia. Drawing from his network of interesting and eccentric individuals to find the perfect fit for the show, Adam had no previous casting experience and learned solely by trial...

Host Kenya takes the hot seat this week to wrap up a wonderful first season and reflect on the common themes and stand-out takeaways from a wide range of conversations. Kenya shares her journey into acting and how she balances it as an incredibly productive author and busy mom. A few of the themes that Kenya explores include developing self-confidence through acting, following your passion even ag...

Ania Nova is an actress, world traveler, and nature lover. She talks with Kenya this week about how she got into background acting in Oslo (after moving there from a small town in Russia) and made her way to London. Ania speaks about the skills that landed her a role as a stunt performer in stage combat, what it was like to move from a small town to a big city on her own, and how background acting...

Actor Dylen Graham joins Kenya this week for a beautiful lesson on why it's always okay to restart, and never too late to try again and find your footing. Dylen first walks us through how he got into background acting a decade ago, and how his hero's journey included a woman in a library that would change his life forever. He opens up about challenges and setbacks in his life, including experienci...

Kenya welcomes actress, mom and entrepreneur Jamie Lee Derrickson to the show. As a self described crazy entrepreneur, tech geek and passionate realtor in South Carolina, Jamie talks about how she manages to fit acting into her already busy world. Jamie has been cast for numerous roles as a featured background actor on Netflix films, HBO comedy series and brand commercials, and she shares practica...

Kenya welcomes Anna Lambros, a Massachusetts based background actor, yoga teacher and Reiki Master. Anna first talks about her family's journey from Italy to Boston, and how the sense of feeling different as a bilingual child gave her inspiration to search for inner strength and community. Anna opens up about fear being in the background of many of her choices, and how pivoting from elementary sch...

Actor, model and entrepreneur Kasia Trepagnier knows a thing or two about going after what you want. From watching TV, to acting in over 38 films, Kasia has taken each experience and treated it as a learning lesson and chance to connect with her community. This week, our host Kenya speaks with New Orleans based Kasia about her experience on vastly different sets, building up the confidence to fina...

We get into the holiday spirit this week and welcome seven men from very different backgrounds who play one of the most recognizable characters out there… Santa Claus! Executive Producer Joergen Aaboe steps in and talks with the seven Santas about the inspiration that got them to head to the North Pole for work, and we learn that Santa is not a job, but a calling. They share industry secrets of wh...

This week we welcome Omari Jinaki, a background actor, kindergarten teacher and pull-up champion among many other roles and identities. Omari is a true teacher at heart, and he shares his journey from feeling the call to something bigger that led him to volunteering in Uganda, sponsoring a student and partnering with the Uganda-based organization The Soul Foundation. Omari believes that everyone h...

This week we welcome actress, world traveler and digital engagement strategist Dennise Kowalczyk to the show. Dennise talks about overcoming shyness as a child to live a fully engaged and extroverted adulthood, and how she continues to find the confidence to put herself out there on the big screen. She discusses how letting go and not being attached to the outcome helps her see and pursue the oppo...

Welcome to the first episode of Needed On Set, the inclusive podcast bringing you honest conversations around personal and professional growth with people in entertainment. To kick off the show, host Kenya welcomes 19 year old actress Eva Shepard, from Portland, Oregon. Eva shares how she decided to get into acting along with a few fun stories from her family's ties to Hollywood, some top tips for...

Needed On Set is the inclusive podcast bringing you honest conversations around personal and professional growth with people in entertainment. Season One is dedicated to background actors, but you will also hear from entertainment professionals like casting directors and assistant directors. Hosted by Kenya, the show is brought to you by Source & Cast.